Wasps & Hornets in Horry County
They get worse as summer ends, not better. Here's why, and what to do about it.
Or call us — nest removal is often same-week.
Most people call about wasps in September, and there's a good reason for that.
A colony that started with one queen in spring is at maximum population by late summer. At the same time, the insects and nectar they've been feeding on start running out. Large population plus scarce food equals aggressive insects showing up at your cookout.
What's Nesting on Your Property
Paper wasps
Open, umbrella-shaped comb with visible cells, hanging from eaves, porch ceilings, railings, grills, and playsets. Generally not aggressive unless you get close to the nest. Colonies stay relatively small.
Yellow jackets
Enclosed nests, frequently underground in old rodent burrows, or inside wall voids and under decks. Colonies get very large. These are responsible for most stinging incidents here, and mowing over a ground nest is how a lot of people find out they have one.
Bald-faced hornets
Large gray papery football-shaped nests in trees, shrubs, and on structures. Very defensive near the nest. Impressive to look at from a distance and not worth approaching.
Mud daubers
Tube-shaped mud nests on walls, in sheds, and under overhangs. Solitary and rarely aggressive. Mostly a nuisance, and they actually hunt spiders.
Ground nests and mowers are a bad combination
Yellow jackets nesting underground in an open yard are invisible until the vibration of a mower sets them off. If you've seen steady insect traffic in and out of a hole in the ground, mark the spot, keep people away, and call us. Don't mow it.
When to Call Instead of Spraying
A small paper wasp nest on an open eave is something plenty of homeowners handle. Call a professional for:
- Any enclosed nest — hornet or yellow jacket
- Nests in the ground
- Nests inside walls, soffits, or attics
- Anything requiring a ladder to reach
- Any nest at all if someone in the home is allergic to stings
Wall void nests in particular go wrong quickly. Spraying the entrance can drive them into the house rather than out of it.
Prevention Through the Year
- Spring — knock down small starter nests early, when a single queen is building
- Keep trash cans sealed and rinse recycling; sugars and proteins draw them in
- Cover food and drinks outdoors in late summer, and check open cans before drinking
- Seal gaps in soffits, siding, and around vents where colonies get into voids
- Fill abandoned rodent burrows in the yard
Common Questions
Will the nest die off in winter?
Yes for the colony — workers die and only fertilized queens overwinter elsewhere. But an old nest site marks a location that conditions favor, and new nests often appear nearby the following year.
Are wasps good for anything?
Genuinely, yes. They're significant predators of caterpillars and other pests, and some pollinate. A nest well away from where people go is usually fine to leave alone. The problem is placement, not the insect.
Does quarterly pest service cover wasps?
Quarterly service includes knocking down accessible nests in eaves and treating the perimeter, which reduces new nest establishment. Large or enclosed nests may need a dedicated visit — we'll tell you which you're dealing with.